With many more friendlies to come, the City boss is only interested in getting his squad match fit at this early stage of his preparations and felt the aims for this game were largely met in Pretoria.
“First of all it’s my first match in charge,” he said. “But for Manchester City and for me it’s an honour to participate here in South Africa.
We are just starting the season so it’s not always important to win but for us it’s important to give minutes to the whole squad
...Manuel Pellegrini
“The players were clear with what they had to do in this game. I spoke with them before the match and we had four or five days working together.
“We’re not prepared to play the way we want them to play so this was a normal match for pre-season. I’m not worried and this is what we expected.”
Pellegrini also said he is hoping to add to his squad in the coming weeks, though the Blues will only buy players who will enhance the current group – and he added Brazilian defender Maicon could soon be leaving the Club.
“We are not in a hurry to bring new players in but we are clear that we need two or three more before the season begins.
“Maicon didn’t come here to the pre-season and he will not be in the squad at Manchester City this year.
It’s important to have a very good squad. I said before we came to South Africa that we needed to play for each position and that’s what we are looking for and I’m sure that we will have it
...Pellegrini
“It’s difficult to say a date for any new arrivals, but before July finishes I think we will have more players.”
